Travel Nurse Top 7 Best Agencies in 2025 — Salary, Housing & Bonuses Compared

Top 7 Best Travel Nurse Agencies in 2025 — Salary, Housing & Bonuses Compared. Among the top agencies recruiting traveling nurses in 2025 are Aya Healthcare, Axis Medical Staffing, and Host Healthcare, recognized for their competitive salaries, accommodation assistance, and bonuses.

Salary, Housing & Bonuses Compared — Top 7 Best Travel Nurse Agencies in 2025

Other recommended agencies include Fusion Medical Staffing, FlexCare Medical Staffing, AMN Healthcare, and Cross Country Nurses, which also offer a wide range of assignments and benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation, and retirement plans.

After yet another exhausting shift, you’re looking through job boards in the break room and asking yourself whether there is a better way to use your nursing license. Your colleague returned from a 13-week stint in California earning twice your compensation with free housing, so perhaps it’s time to investigate travel nursing. Here is the issue, though: not all travel nurse companies are created equal.

While others leave you struggling to meet your own bills between contracts, some provide amazing compensation packages including health insurance from day one and housing allowances. Choosing the wrong agency could cost you thousands of dollars and turn your dream job into a logistical nightmare. That’s just why we have researched your need.

Quick Snapshot: Nursing Travel in 2025

• Average weekly pay: $1,800 to $3,500 (depending on specialization and area)
• Top-Paying Specialties: Operating Room, ER, ICU, Labor & Delivery
• Contract Length: Usually 8 to 13 weeks with options to extend.
• Options for lodging: agency-supplied apartments or stipends ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 monthly
• Most companies provide health insurance within one to four weeks.
• Active RN license, minimum 1–2 years of recent experience in specialty; licensing criteria
• States with the Greatest Demand: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Massachusetts

What is Travel Nursing and How Do Agencies Work?

Usually for eight to 13 weeks at a time, travel nursing is a career route where registered nurses undertake temporary assignments across various healthcare institutions. Rather than being hired directly by a hospital, you work via a travel nurse agency acting as your employer and placement partner. These agencies contract with hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country in need of temporary personnel owing to seasonal demand, staff shortages, or unique projects.

In real life, the agency pays your hourly wage, covers your benefits, manages your licensing paperwork, and gives support throughout your project. They get a cut of the amount the hospital pays them for your services in return. Good agencies are honest about their compensation arrangements and provide thorough help that turns a move across state from unpleasant into flawless.

Consider your agency to be your representative in the travel nursing sector. They haggle prices with facilities, assist you in keeping many state licenses, offer continuing education credits, and troubleshoot problems during your projects. Rather than just a temporary placement service, the right agency develops into a long-term partner in your travel nursing profession.

Why Selecting the Appropriate Agency Is Important for Your Nursing Career

Your take-home pay, quality of life, and career path will all be directly affected by the agency you select. In aggregate compensation ranging from $500 to $1,500 per week, this amounts to $6,500 to $19,500 over a single thirteen-week contract. Especially if you’re working to pay off nursing school loans or save for a house down payment that is not pocket change.

Apart from pay, your agency defines whether you will get health insurance coverage quickly, whether you will have a dedicated recruiter who really answers your calls, and if you will have help as problems with the facilities come up. Weak agency support might have you caught in a dangerous staffing situation or dashing about trying to get housing in an unfamiliar town. Top companies assist you negotiate the compact nursing license process on the licensing side and perhaps pay the application fees for more state licenses usually priced between $100 and $400 each.

Your professional reputation also depends on your agency choice. Agencies that constantly place good nurses create close ties with institutions, therefore resulting in superior projects for you. Because hospitals believe in their screening procedure, they have first access to top-paying jobs in wanted sites. Collaborating with a well-respected agency gives entrance to premium healthcare systems that could not work with smaller companies.

Your career profile benefits greatly from the experience you get from a variety of assignments. Being extremely marketable is working in a Level I trauma facility in Baltimore, then in a rural critical access hospital in Montana, then in a cutting-edge teaching hospital in Boston. The appropriate agency enables you to purposefully pick projects that develop the specific set of skills you want for your long-term career aims.

Salary, benefits, and support comprise full Agency Comparison.

Aya Healthcare, Agency 1

Basic Pay Range: $1,900 to $3,200 per week; Housing Stipend: $1,800 to $2,800 monthly; Sign-On Bonus: $1,000 to $3,000; Health Insurance: Accessible first day of service; 401(k) Match: Yes, up to 3% | License Reimbursement: Up to $500 annually | Special Advantage: Dedicated clinical liaison and mental health support app

Aya Consistently rated among the biggest and most well-known travel nursing company in the nation is Healthcare. Offering an amazing technological platform that lets you explore assignments, submit applications, and monitor your credentialing all in one spot, they partner with more than 3,000 healthcare institutions. Their recruiter-to- nurse ratio is below the industry standard, so you get more one-on- one attention. Nurses especially value their Guardian Angel program, which offers 24/7 clinical help in case problems develop throughout a task.

Agency 2: Travel Nurses Inc.

Sign-on bonus: up to $2,000; health insurance available after 30 days; housing stipend: $2,000–$3,000 monthly; base pay range: $2,000–$3,500 weekly. Yes, up to 4%; covers first state license renewal; pet-friendly housing help

High-acuity placements are Travel Nurses Inc.’s specialty; they consistently provide some of the highest pay packages in the sector. Particularly powerful in operating room, ER, and ICU assignments are these ones. Their housing division helps you find pet-friendly apartments, which could be a game-changer if you travel with your dog or cat. The business uses a clear pay model whereby they show you the bill rate and carefully describe how your compensation package is divided.

Cross Country Nurses: Agency 3

Basic pay range: $1,850 to $3,100 per week; housing allowance: $1,700 to $2,700 per month; sign-on bonus: $500 to $2,500; Health insurance available first day; 401(k) match: yes up to 3%; license repayment: $300 per state license; unique benefit: free continuing education portal with infinite CEU courses

Over 35 years in operation, Cross Country Nurses provides amazing stability. They have fixed contracts with leading hospital systems, so providing regular job chances even in less busy months. With hundreds of courses to help you keep your license and improve your skills, their CEU platform is rather outstanding. With recruiters that remain with the firm for years rather than continually changing, they are also noted for their great client service.

Agency 4: FlexCare medical staff

Base Pay Range: $2,100–$3,400 per week | Housing Stipend: $2,200–$2,900 monthly | Sign-On Bonus: $1,500–$4,000 | Health Insurance: Available immediately | 401(k) Match: Yes, up License Reimbursement: full reimbursement for up to two states | Unique Perk: weekly payment option and referral incentives up to $1,000

Working with chosen premier facilities rather than casting the biggest net feasible, FlexCare prioritizes quality above quantity. This method causes their projects to be in well-funded hospitals with rather good nurse-to-patient ratios. Offering the best 401(k) match in the market, they actually pay you weekly rather than the conventional biweekly schedule, which greatly helps with money flow for expense travel management.

Agency 5: Trusted Health

Base Pay Range: $1,900–$3,300 weekly; Housing Stipend: $1,900–$2,800 monthly; Sign-On Bonus: $500–$2,000; Health Insurance available following first 80 hours worked; Yes, up to 3% for 401(k); up to $400 for license reimbursement; distinctive bonus; proprietary app with immediate facility reviews from other nurses.

With their technology-first approach, Trusted Health transformed the market. Their mobile app offers real reviews from nurses who have indeed worked at facilities, thereby providing inside knowledge on unit culture, personnel numbers, and more. Management assistance prior to your acceptance of an appointment. They also provide clear salary information so you can assess your competitiveness. Their platform allows you to keep an eye on your compliance papers in one location and easily administer many state licenses.

Agency 6: Medical Technologies

401(k) match is available first day; health insurance; sign-on bonus is $1,000–$2,500; housing stipend is $1,800–$2,600 per month; base pay range is $1,850–$3,000 per week. Up to 3% License Reimbursement: $200 per state Unique Perk: Loyalty bonus system and extensive wellness perks including gymnasium membership repayment

Medical Solutions views travel nursing from a relationship-based perspective. Keeping nurses with the same recruiter throughout their careers, they are noted for this behavior, therefore your recruiter really knows your preferences and career aims. If you are considering a multi-year travel nursing career, their loyalty program offers you growing benefits the more you work with them, making them a great option. They also provide uncommon perks including free telehealth and gym membership compensation.

Agency 7: American Mobile Healthcare

$1,800–$3,100 per week is the base salary range; $1,700–$2,700 monthly is the housing stipend; $500–$2,000 is the sign-on bonus; health insurance is offered after two weeks; 401(k) match: Yes, up to 3% | License Reimbursement: Up to $350 | Unique Perk: Access to crisis contracts and rapid response assignments with premium pay

Specializing in both conventional tasks and high-paying crisis contracts, American Mobile is a division of the AMN Healthcare family. By their fast response program, you might make much more if you are ready to go where the need is highest (usually flu season, summer vacancies, or unanticipated personnel catastrophes). With the biggest facility network in the field, they have more assignment possibilities in more places than any other agency on this list.

Your Step-by-Step Action Plan to Choose and Apply

Step One: Assess Your Qualifications and Goals

Make sure you meet the fundamental standards before contacting agencies. One to two years of recent experience in your field and up-to-date certifications like ACLS and BLS are necessary; you must also possess a valid RN license. Verify your license’s good standing without any penalties on your state board website. Then set your objectives: are you seeking particular locations, striving to acquire experience in top-notch facilities, hoping to travel with a partner or pets, or chasing the highest salary possible? Which agencies fit best depends on your priorities.

Step Two: Submit to three to five agencies concurrently.

Not all of your eggs should be in one basket. Based on your needs, choose three to five organizations above to apply to. Most applications contain your basic data, work history, certifications, and specialty preferences and take 15 to 30 minutes. Seeking several agencies provides negotiating leverage and options regarding salary plans. Every agency could offer varied assignments at any moment; many relationships improve your chances of landing the ideal job.

Step Three: Speak with Your Recruiter (Yes, Actually).

Remember that when the recruiters call you, you’re interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. Inquire these essential questions: How many nurses do you stand for? Will you be my committed contact throughout my tasks? What is your typical call and text response time? Can you give references from present travel nurses? How do you deal with problems that come up on assignments? The answers will indicate whether this recruiter will merely be trying to quickly fill a job or will really be a genuine partner.

Fourth step: Evaluate real pay packages line by line.

Offers should be evaluated beyond only the weekly salary amount. Request a thorough analysis including non-taxable allowances for meals and housing, hourly taxable income, travel expenses, and any incentives. Count the whole contract term’s total remuneration. Then deduct your projected expenses, which include travel costs to get there, any gaps between assignments, and temporary housing deposits. For reference, this shows you your actual take-home pay.

Step Five: Verify Everything in Writing Before Accepting

Have every assurance in writing once you choose an assignment before you give notice at your current job or assent to the contract. This covers agreed upon perks as well as starting and end dates, shift differentials, assured hours, housing allowances, pay scales, cancellation policies, and any other negotiated incentives. Read the full contract, not only the portion relating to salary. Pay especially close attention early termination provisions, any non-compete agreements, and the repercussions of the facility’s termination of your contract.

Step six: Get ready you’re licensing and credentials.

Should you not already be, collaborate with your agency to become licensed in your assigned state. Should you own a compact license under the Nurse Licensure Compact, you may practice in 41 member states with your home state license. For non-compact states, you will have to apply for licensure by endorsement, which takes two to eight weeks based on the state. Furthermore collect your certifications, immunization records, background checks, and skills checklists as facilities need these before you can start.

Step Seven: Arrange early housing and logistics.

Start looking for flats or furnished rentals at least four weeks before your start date if you’re receiving a housing stipend instead of agency-provided housing. Good resources may be found in furnished finder and travel nurse groups on Facebook. Think about lease flexibility, neighborhood safety, and hospital location. Many landlords today focus on month-to-month travel nurse housing. Through social media groups, research the region and network with other travel nurses employed at your institution. Also arrange your itinerary.

Expert Tip from a Nurse Educator’s Insight

Twenty years in nursing education have taught me about travel nursing success as follows: Your first job sets the tone for your whole travel career. Choose a facility inside your comfort level even if it pays somewhat less and an agency with great clinical support. Now is not the time to plunge into a wholly fresh field or accept the most lucrative crisis contract in a disorganized setting. With a good first experience, grow your confidence; prove yourself as a dependable tourist; then you’ll have your choice of high-end jobs.

After one terrible first assignment, I have seen innumerable nurses burn out and give up travel nursing altogether. Let that not be you. Additionally keep comprehensive notes on every assignment including your pay stubs, timesheets, and housing receipts. For tax reasons, you’ll need these because travel nursing provides special tax advantages via non-taxable stipends but only if you have adequate documentation and a genuine tax home.

Your Next Steps: Start Your Travel Nursing Career with Confidence

Offering registered nurses never before chances to boost their pay, get varied clinical experience, and investigate new environments, the travel nursing sector still flourishes in 2025 parts of the country, all while advancing their careers. The seven agencies we have discussed provide the best solutions now at hand; each has particular benefits that satisfy various nursing needs. Whether you give top importance to maximum compensation, thorough benefits, technology platforms, housing flexibility, or long-term career assistance, there is an agency on this list that fulfills your needs.

Remember that your relationship with your travel nurse agency should be a collaboration founded on transparency, openness, and mutual respect. Good agencies see you as a respected healthcare professional rather than just a number to position. They invest in your success since your success is their success. Don’t settle for agencies that offer ambiguous responses about pay, ignore your calls, or pressure you into tasks that don’t feel appropriate.

This week, apply to your top three agency alternatives, gather your credentials papers, and look into your preferred locations. If you approach the procedure proactively, your first travel nursing agreement could begin in as little as four to six weeks. Travel nursing has changed the financial circumstances and careers of thousands of nurses; 2025 is a great year to join them since demand is very high. Through several disciplines and competitive salary plans.

Ready to advance beyond travel nursing in your nursing career?

Our thorough guide on Compact Nursing License: Complete State-by-State Guide is available now. RNs need to know how multi-state licensure can help you to maximize your assignment possibilities and save you hundreds in licensing charges.

Often Asked Questions on Travel Nursing Agencies

Do I have to get a compact nursing license to be a travelling nurse?

Although working as a travel nurse does not absolutely demand a compact nursing license, it greatly simplifies your life and broadens your possibilities. Eliminating the necessity to apply for separate state licenses for every assignment, the Nurse Licensure Compact lets you work in 41 member states with only one multi-state license. High-paying states like California, New York, and Massachusetts, however, are not members of the compact; hence, you will have to get unique licenses for employment in those states. Most travel nurses possess a small license as well as one or two other state licenses for non-compact states they wish to work in.

After taxes and expenditures, how much does travel nursing really pay?

With both taxable earnings and non-taxable stipends for food and housing, travel nursing compensation is set up differently and gives notable tax benefits. Your tax home status, the location of your assignment, and how you handle housing all affect your actual take-home. With certain high-demand specializations in affluent regions commanding $130,000 or more, travel nurses usually earn between $70,000 and $110,000 year. But you have to account for expenses like sustaining a permanent home for tax home status, trip between assignments, health insurance during breaks, and more costly living expenses in certain places. To legally maximize your revenues, you need with a tax expert knowledgeable of travel nursing.

Can new graduate nurses work with travel nurse agencies?

Regrettably, no respected travel nurse agency would assign new graduates right to travel assignments. Because they are paying top salaries for seasoned professionals, healthcare institutions hiring travel nurses expect you to hit the ground running with little orientation. The normal need one to two years of recent experience in your field of expertise means you must first work as a staff nurse. to help you develop your clinical basis and time management abilities. Some companies give newly graduated residency programs at collaborating hospitals; however, these are conventional staff roles with the choice to move into travel nursing upon the attainment of the necessary experience.

Early cancellation of my travel nurse contract by a hospital means what?

Although they are rather uncommon with established companies at stable locations, contract terminations do happen. Including notice period and any promised hours, your contract should define the terms of cancellation. Most agreements offer payment for at least one to two weeks following termination, and elite agencies will quickly seek a replacement job for you. Some companies provide cancellation protection that either pays you for a specific period or supports your housing expenses during your change. One reason it is so important to pick an agency with many facility connections is that they can quickly find you another job rather than leaving you without income.

Should I receive agency-provided housing or a housing allowance?

Your comfort with logistics and your ability to locate cheap housing in the assignment region will determine this decision. Getting the housing stipend lets you have more control and usually leads to greater overall pay as you may locate bargains beneath the amount and maintain the gap. But it also implies you are accountable for locating lodging, signing leases, connecting utilities, and decorating the area. Agency-provided housing removes these problems, yet it might not fit your tastes in location or comforts. While many first-timers pick agency housing to lower stress during their first job, most seasoned travel nurses want the stipend once they feel at ease with the process.

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